HISTORY
FRENCH ANGLE SLOTTED PIPE® Patent No. 5,836,716 Click on picture to enlarge
Originally founded by William Ralph Johnson whose earlier experience with water control began in the early 1940’s. F.F.A. schooling at a small town farming community involved work with what was at the time, a new revolutionary practice of terracing the land for water retainage in the growing fields. When this practice affected water control and ponding in creeks causing loss of water, along with loss of preferred fishing locations, it initiated a lifetime concern with water issues. It was learned that patterned irrigation of farm lands on the plains of Lubbock Texas progressively altered the soil porosity resulting in a "Hard Pan" that required attention for control of watering.
Attending Architectural Engineering at Texas Tech University in the early 50’s afforded minimal consideration of drainage which at the time had not developed to the point of attracting attention as a serious problem. Thereafter, employment for 26 years with a major Dallas plumbing company with a subsidiary irrigation company involved some aspects of drainage.
In 1982, Ralph with State Irrigators License No. 37 established a formidable irrigation company. With the combination of his years of experience and reputation, he developed a clientele with a demand for dealing with serious drain issues. Dallas Drain Company, Inc. consequently was established to specialize in water problem resolution. At this particular time, drainage products which consisted mainly of basins, grates, fixtures and pipe were in the development process for this expanding market. Limited time in product development, design experience and installation practices particularly in French Pipe Systems resulted in variable performances. Common expressed opinions at this time were that French Drains either did not work or eventually quit flowing mainly from filter cloth stoppage.